Colman Domingo: Art, Activism and the Rustin Moment
Colman Domingo, born in Philadelphia in 1969, built a multi‑faceted career across stage, screen, and television over more than three decades. He began with small screen appearances for directors such as Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, then gained broader recognition in features and on TV. His work in Beale Street Blues (2018) earned early critical praise, and his later involvement in The Color Purple on Broadway in 2024, along with his ongoing presence in the hit series Euphoria, helped elevate him to new heights with Emmy consideration among peers and critics alike. A year after these breakthroughs, Domingo stood among the top contenders for an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of activist Bayard Rustin in the biopic Rustin (2023). His performance drew strong industry buzz and positioned him for a historic moment in awards history. Meanwhile, he has continued to expand his influence behind the camera as an executive producer on The Lives of Sing Sing, a drama rooted in a rehabilitation program conducted through theatre at New York’s Sing Sing prison, a project that has shaped the lives of many inmates through creative expression. This work has also sparked discussion about the potential reach and impact of the arts in correctional settings. [Source attribution: Variety]
Apart from starring in The Lives of Sing Sing, Domingo explains his motivation in taking on the project. He seeks work that serves a real purpose and feels a duty to use storytelling to make a cultural impact. He notes his own background as a Black man who could face wrongful accusations and imprisonment as a reminder of why stories about accountability, healing, and self‑improvement matter. He believes the film demonstrates that rehabilitation programs can offer a path to transformation, even when institutions remain imperfect in their operations. He emphasizes that the project aims to illuminate the humanity of inmates who choose responsibility and change over time. [Source attribution: Hollywood Reporter]
A question about whether the film critiques the United States prison system is answered with quiet conviction. Domingo recalls filming in multiple prisons, describing claustrophobic conditions and limited airflow, and arguing that confinement can feel inhumane regardless of crime. He stresses that the movie avoids common genre clichés and instead presents a story about healing through art—an emphasis on resilience, not punishment. The perspective is less about sensationalism and more about the restorative power of creative practice. [Source attribution: The Guardian]
When asked whether art has the power to change the world, Domingo speaks with certainty. He points to theatre as a therapeutic outlet for inmates that can help them process trauma and emotions that shaped their lives. He suggests that expanding arts in schools could prevent some youths from ending up in prison by giving them tools to cope and express themselves. He credits art with giving him the vulnerability and courage to face the world and to tell stories that matter.
There is this idea in our world that men, especially Black men, cannot convey love and compassion to each other
Acknowledging the limited portrayals of male tenderness, The Lives of Sing Sing is described as a project that foregrounds vulnerability and sensitivity not often seen in prison narratives. Domingo argues that many inmates carry biases and stereotypes that society rarely challenges, and the RTA program offers a chance to dismantle those beliefs. The film presents inmates who break free from the harmful norms often associated with masculinity, illustrating that expressions of care and emotional strength can exist inside correctional facilities and still contribute to personal and communal growth. This approach signals a broader redefinition of masculinity, one that welcomes emotional honesty instead of stereotyping.
Domingo reflects on a career that already spans decades when international recognition arrives. At fifty‑five, he has spent much of his life writing, directing, and acting in plays, often supporting himself through other jobs such as waiting tables early on. He recalls moments in 2015 when he questioned whether acting offered a viable future, yet he kept creating, writing, and performing his own work. The payoff now feels meaningful, a reminder not to take success for granted or to lose perspective about the craft that sustained him long before awards cycles began to orbit him. He believes staying true to his path rather than chasing external validation has helped him remain grounded.
Fame has also brought attention to his sense of personal style and his standing as a public figure within the LGTBI community. Domingo says he enjoys fashion and recognizes the moment when the red carpet becomes a stage for self‑expression. He notes that his sexuality has been a steady part of his life and family, and he says he has never hidden who he is. While acknowledging a positive influence on others, he also raises a thoughtful point about the tendency to celebrate the courage of those who come out while overlooking those who choose to stay private. He emphasizes that the real courage lies in living authentically every day. [Source attribution: NPR]